Blessings through disaster...

You know God works in mysterious ways...I know this and say this often but he reaffirms it in my life so often.  On Thursday our town was the site of a disastrous wildfire.  It could have been so much worse but thanks to all of our emergency response teams, forestry service, local firemen and women, sheriff's department, etc it did not turn into near the devastating situation it could have been.  I had the privilege of working at our church which was the command center as a volunteer and helped organize many aspects of the efforts to help the families and emergency workers. What a team God brought together!  Through  all these terrible sets of circumstances I was blessed beyond measure by the outpouring of generosity of our community and way beyond.  So proud of how God brought everyone together to save homes, help people who did lose homes, and just neighbors helping each other.  Below are some of the pictures of this horrible fire.  Please pray for all these people and others who were affected by this fire.  Many lost homes, property, and many important things to them but thanks to God they will always have the most important thing, His love and their salvation!  God bless you all!

McKenzie, part 1

Can you believe that this beautiful young lady was in my Kindergarten class 10 years ago? It just doesn't seem possible that she has grown up so much (and that I am old enough to have had her in my class all those years ago - I must have started teaching VERY young :) Anyway, I was so blessed to get to spend some time yesterday evening photographing her. I was so happy that she was happy with several of the shots. This is just part 1. More to come but I couldn't wait to share!

Oh - and on a side note - I got a pleasant surprise when I got home today. Seems a few people saw my cutesie pictures of my little man at the parade waving to the fire engines and have asked to put the pictures on the fire department's website. I am honored! I just adore his little hand and his excitement at seeing them! Pleased to share that with others! :)